William Wilberforce Bird (2 July 1758 – 19 April 1836), merchant, civil servant and author, was the Member of Parliament for Coventry from 1796 to 1802.
Transporting cargo in his own ships, particularly with St. Helena and Mauritius, he was involved in the import and export trade of the colony.
The controversial book The State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822, was written anonymously by Bird.
Covering in detail the system of government at the Cape, the law courts, the burgher senate, registration of slaves, agriculture, trade and the customs of the population, he was highly critical of the way in which such ceremonies as weddings and funerals were conducted.
[2] His eldest son, William Wilberforce Bird, was the Deputy-Governor of Bengal Presidency and later the acting Governor-General of India.